How Long Can an Instagram Story Be? – Guide to Make Every Second Count

Instagram has its algorithm that each user needs to follow. It has a limited time duration of reels and stories. If you are here, then we guess you are also struggling to set the story on Instagram for longer. So, looking for how long can an Instagram story be? It’s 15 seconds. But you can try resetting the Instagram algorithm or working on it to post longer. How? Let’s check it out through this blog!

How Long Can an Instagram Story Be?

Instagram stories are designed to be short in length. The standard time limit set by the developers is 15 seconds. Every user of the app can record a video that can last up to 15 seconds. But how long can an Instagram story be for longer videos? If you upload a video of 30 seconds, the app will automatically chop it off and divide it into two story uploads of 15 seconds each. 

How long can Instagram stories be for a 60-second video? If you have uploaded a 60-second video, similarly, you will see 4 uploads of 15 seconds each. This 15-second rule is applicable when you’re capturing within the app. But if you upload from your photo gallery, it will be one clip of 1-minute video. You can split the longer one into multiple clips. 

Instagram has an in-built recording feature that can make the experience better by automatically capturing and cutting your content in real-time. This eliminates the need for manual trimming if required in any other case.

It is also important to note that “How Long Is An Ig Story” is different for uploading photos. Any picture you post only stays for 5 seconds and then moves on to your next story. The best part is that you can upload multiple stories on Instagram, i.e., 100 stories in 24 hours. Meaning, 100 times your chance to grab the eyeballs and interact with your audience. 

Instagram Stories Vs Other Formats 

Instagram stories are the easiest and quickest way to show up every day on the platform. But it might not work with every user. So let’s understand how long do Instagram stories last and how they stack up against other content-sharing formats of the application. 

Instagram Stories 

Best for capturing and sharing in-the-moment content. It can be a fun way to share some insights and connect with your audience. 

• Length: Allows posting videos up to 15 seconds and automatically divides the longer clips. 
• Lifespan: Meaning, how long does an Instagram story last? Stories last up to 24 hours or 1 day for every user’s account.
• Interaction: High interaction rate because of its engaging features like polls, stickers, etc. 

Instagram Reels 

Reels are an alternative to TikTok, offering ample opportunity to go viral. This video format is catchy and is a go-to for engagement for the creators. Whether you want to share a story, hop on a trend, or make a challenge video with your friends, Reels are the best format. 

Instagram Reel Length: Allows the content to be 90 seconds longer reel. The new update has allowed uploading longer-format videos up to 15 minutes as well.

• Lifespan: It stays permanently on the feed until deleted otherwise.
• Interaction: Impactful and strong, as it can reach the Explore page and Reels tab, boosting reach and visibility.

Instagram Feed Videos 

Instagram feed videos appear on the main feed of the user and allow sharing longer content. This format works best to share more polished videos like tutorials, performances, or collection shows; the ideas are endless. 

• Length: Allows sharing content for 60 minutes. 
• Lifespan: Stays on the feed permanently unless deleted.
• Interaction: Moderate with likes, comments, and shares. 

Instagram Live 

Want to connect with your followers in real time? Nothing’s better than Instagram Live. Users can go live to host Q&A, launch a product or brand, or just chit-chat and have fun with the people joining in. 

• Length: Allows 4 hours for each session. 
• Lifespan: Gets deleted but can be shared as a reply on the feed or story for 24 hours. 
• Interaction: Very high, as people can interact, like, comment, and share in real time. 

We now know how long an Instagram story can be and how it compares to other formats. From this, we can conclude that stories are a great way to share unfiltered moments, create a sense of urgency, and offer immediacy. While the other formats require more time and effort to post. Combining all of them can be your safest bet to reach a broader audience while sharing evergreen content. 

How to Edit Instagram Story Length Videos?

There can be chances that your 30-second video is cut right when you’re speaking a sentence, and the two parts play automatically, but there’s silence for milliseconds. Yes, the perfectionists hate it. And why give users to option to drop the story midway when you can share it in a better way? But how? Knowing how long Instagram stories are and editing them beforehand. Let’s break it down here:

Directly Record and Upload on Instagram

When you use Instagram’s story recording feature, you get to know when the 15 seconds are about to be over. This allows you to record in multiple parts and upload directly. The only drawback is that you can trim or slip the recorded clips, but it only allows you to delete the parts. 

Trim Using Phone Editors 

You can use your gallery’s editor to shorten the clips. You can cut the unnecessary parts and keep what’s engaging. Just make sure to keep the video in the Instagram story time limit. 

Use Third-Party Tools 

Want to trim according to how long is an Instagram story? You can use third-party editing apps like CapCut, InShot, and Canva to split the clips and save them differently for various time lengths. With these, you can also take time to personalize the video using captions, stickers, and filters: the possibilities are endless!

How to Create Instagram Stories to Stop the Scroll?

You have 15 seconds to go viral, 15 seconds to impress the viewers and turn them into buyers, 15 seconds to make your story count. So master the art of creating stories and understand the psychology behind viewing, so your stories run through people’s minds even when they’ve disappeared from the platform. 

Always Start With an Intention

It’s best to note down whether you want to persuade the viewer to click into your website, check out your new posts, and hang in for a big update. Know to whom and for what you are targeting, and make the video accordingly. 

Hook Viewers Instantly

Viewers give 3 seconds to see the story, and if they don’t like it, they move on. You can capture the attention using a strong hook. Example: asking a bold question, sharing a jaw-dropping visual, or an emotional warning.

Lighting is Not Just an Option

If you want to create an impact, start by using a great lighting setup. You don’t need expensive equipment to fulfill these criteria; the clear and natural sunlight can work its magic. Plus, avoid oversaturated filters. 

Use Interactive Elements

Don’t want people to just passively scroll through your story? Turn them into active participants using Instagram’s interactive elements. Polls, sliders, quizzes, and question boxes are not just fun but also increase your engagement rate. You can also create and use GIFs to comment, as this also allows you to build a community for yourself. 

Apply Music to Get Viewers in the Mood

You can turn the silent moments into an emotional experience by adding music to your visuals. Just browse through Instagram’s music library and use the tune that translates well to your story. 

Use Texts to Explain

People love to hear and see at the same time, as it seeps directly into the mind. Texts are not just for storytelling; they are a great way to add context or emphasize emotions. 

Have Fun with GIFs and Stickers

Instagram offers a huge bank of GIFs and stickers to add a playful twist to your content. Whether it’s a YASS QUEEN sticker on you and your best friends’ “Get Ready With Us” video or a silver sparkly heart, it instantly helps you express more than words. 

When the viewer taps forward, you lose the chance to engage them. Thus, you must use your creativity to grab those eyeballs for 15 seconds. With the tricks given above, you can surely unleash your creativity to evoke emotion, interaction, and style with substance.

Wrapping Up! 

How long can an Instagram story be? 15 seconds. How long do Ig stories last? 24 hours. Though the period is brief, you can make a punch using the right tools. You get enough opportunity to use great visuals and share crisp and concise content that converts. The goal is to engage the community and spark communication. 

With everything that we have explained in this blog, you can create a captivating story that makes each second count. Read the info again for better results and share it with other creator friends, too!

Read Next: Instagram Carousel Post: Share More Images and Videos in a Single Post

Frequently Asked Questions 

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